Published 8:00 pm, Friday, July 2, 2004

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.  Dean Lockwood has returned to the place where he coached early in his career  and this time hell be part of a womens college basketball powerhouse.

Lockwood, the former mens head coach at Saginaw Valley State and Northwood universities, was hired Friday as an assistant to legendary University of Tennessee womens coach Pat Summitt.

"Theres a definite comfort level to come back to a place like UT," said Lockwood, who was a Tennessee mens assistant basketball coach from 1986-91.

"Im thrilled with the basketball part, and Im equally thrilled to go to an institution with such high athletic standards," he said.

Summitt has the most wins in womens college basketball history, with a record of 821-163 in 29 seasons. The Volunteers have won six NCAA championships and 22 Southeastern Conference tournament and regular season titles over that span. They were NCAA runners-up this year.

"Pat Summitt is a genuine leader," Lockwood said. "I really have a lot of respect for her.

"Shes big into defense, rebounding and player development. So we share similar thoughts on that," he said.

Lockwoods primary responsibilities are player development, recruiting and scouting. He will start a recruiting trip next weekend.

"Were very excited to have Dean join our Lady Vol basketball staff," Summitt said in a statement on the UT website. "He brings years of valuable coaching experience both as an assistant and head coach."

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Lockwood coached at SVSU from 1998-2004 and at Northwood from 1991-97.